Framework for a suspended ceiling



July 26, 1960 K. E. GORDON ETAI- 2,946,414

FRAMEWORK FOR A SUSPENDED CEILING Filed Jan. 20, 1959 I INVENTORS W. 6. F E R6050 x. E. ammo/v ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,946,414 FRAMEWORK FOR A SUSPENDED CEILING Kerwin E. Gordon and William C. Ferguson, Magnolia, Ark., assignors to Southern Extrusions, Incorporated, a corporation of Arkansas Filed Jan. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 788,010

2 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) This invention relates to a framework for a suspended ceiling. More particularly, this invention relates to locking means by which the transverse support members in a suspended ceiling are locked into the longitudinal support members.

In the framework constructions for a suspended ceiling of the prior art, several different arrangements for locking the transverse support members with respect to the longitudinal members are disclosed. Most of these old arrangements, however, are unsatisfactory in that they require either (1) the bending of a tab or similar part of one of the support members to establish a locking, or (2) the use of additional locking members.

A drawback connected with prior devices requiring the bending of tabs or the like to effect a locking is obvious: the bending of tabs or the like takes a special tool. It also may require by the workman an exertion of effort and strength while standing in an awkward position. Further, the bending of the parts of a support member will inevitably weaken them and create in them bending stresses making the bent areas easily susceptible to corrosion.

Drawbacks inherent in ceiling suspension systems which require the use of additional locking pieces to hold them in position are similarly obvious. One drawback is that the need for special pieces requires a fabrication of additional parts making the operation more expensive. There is created an additional supply problem. Then, too, such parts are usually small so that they are difficult to keep track of and are frequently lost or misplaced, delaying the construction.

It is, therefore, an object of this present invention to provide in a framework for suspended ceiling construction locking means which does not involve the bending of the support members of the framework.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a framework for a suspended ceiling construction locking means for the various support members which are inherent in the members themselves and do not require special parts in addition to the support members.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a framework for a suspended ceiling construction a locking means which are easy to fabricate and to install and are rattle-free in performance.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a downward perspective view showing a framework for a suspended ceiling embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of a longitudinal member embodying the invention showing the locking opening;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of two ice adjacent ends of two collinear transverse support members;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4 showing a step in the installation process; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 in Fig. 1 showing a connector member applied to two longitudinal support members.

Briefly, in a framework for a suspended ceiling, the invention is a longitudinal support member having spaced openings therein, said openings receiving from opposite directions the adjacent ends of two collinear transverse supporting members. The opening is so designed and the ends of the transverse support members so configured that a locking effect may be established, precluding the accidental displacement of the transverse support members from their proper position.

More specifically and referring to the drawings, a framework for a suspended ceiling embodying the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and is generally designated 10. It will be understood that acoustical or insulating panel P appropriately cut is dropped down into the rectangular spaces between the support members and is supported there. The framework comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal support members 12 which are suspended in spaced relation on wires 14 or the like hanging down from the roof of the building or room. Running perpendicular to the longitudinal support members are a plurality of spaced lines of transverse support members generally designated 16. Each individual transverse support member is in length only the distance between two adjacent longitudinal support members. However, because a plurality of transverse support members are arranged collinearly they create from below the effect of an uninterrupted line intersecting the longitudinal support members.

All support members are preferably aluminum extrusions, although rolled steel members are satisfactory.

It should be understood that in this application the terms longitudinal and transverse are not intended to indicate direction with respect to the length or width of the room in which the framework is installed. The terms are intended only to distinguish support members running in one direction from support members running in the direction perpendicular.

From Fig. 1 it can be seen that each of the support members is an inverted T-shaped structure. The longitudinal support members 12, for instance (see Fig. 4), each comprise a vertical Web 18 having a thickened reinforcing head 20 along the upper end thereof. Out- ,wardly from the web extend ceiling-panel-supporting flanges 22. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the transverse support members similarly each comprise a vertical web 24, being of somewhat less height than the vertical webs of the longitudinal members. The transverse support members have similar reinforcing heads 26 along the upper ends thereof and have from the lower ends thereof oppositely extending ceiling-panel-supporting flanges 28.

Reference to Fig. 2 discloses that formed in the vertical web 18 of 'a longitudinal support member below the thickened head thereof, is an aperture 30 by which the wire 14 hanging down from the roof of the room or building engages the framework to support it. The apertures are preferably spaced on 12." centers. Preferably adjacent and below each aperture is formed an opening 32 for receiving in looking engagement the intersecting transverse support members 16. The opening 32 comprises a vertical slot 34 and an angled slot '36 immediately thereadjacent. The angled slot preferably is about 45 degrees to the vertical and as shown is annexed at its upper end to the upper end of the vertical slot. To complete the opening, a portion of the metal ofthe vertical web immediately below .and adjacent the said annex is removed down to a horizontal line 38 running through the approximate midpoint of the vertical slot as shown.

Reference to Fig. 3 indicates that'the first 16a of two transverse support members is formed with a first projection 40 extending out beyond the end of its vertical web 24. The bottom edge of the said first projection has an upwardly extending notch 42 therein slightly larger in width than the vertical web 18 of the longitudinal support member. In the area adjacent the projection the outwardly projecting ceiling-panel-supporting flanges are removed to accommodate the flanges 22 of the longitudinal support member.

The second transverse support member 1612 extends collinearly but from an opposite direction from the first transverse support member 16a and is formed with a second projection 44. The second projection, on the vertical web 24 of the second transverse support member is formed in a position relatively above the first projection on the first transverse support member. It will be noted that the second projection is formed with a notch 46 extending down thereinto at the top edge thereof, the second notch also being of width approximately equal to the vertical web 18 of the longitudinal support member. As with the first transverse support member, the second in the area adjacent the end has its ceiling panel supporting flanges removed to accommodate the flanges 22 of the longitudinal support member.

Figs. 4 and 5 show the relation of the longitudinal support member with the two transverse support members locked therein. The lower portion of the vertical slot 34 of the longitudinal support member receives the first projection 40 with the notch 42 thereof receiving the portion of the vertical web 18 of the lonigtudinal support member immediately below the vertical slot. The second projection 44 rests on top of the first projection 40, and the notch 46 in the upper edge of the second projection receives the area of the vertical web 18 immediately adjacent and above the vertical slot. With the ends of the two transverse support members thus locked into the opening 32 of the longitudinal support member, there is precluded the possibility of accidental displacement.

Further reference to Fig. 4 shows the clearance between the various portions of the two transverse support members to permit ease of installation. It should be noted that the ceiling-panelsupporting flanges 22 and 28 of all three support members are flush and have their bottom surfaces in a common horizontal plane.

The manner in which the two transverse support members 16a and 16b are installed in the longitudinal member 12 is shown in Fig. 6. Once the position of the longitudinal support member is established by the provision of the wires 14, the first projection 40 is slipped into the vertical slot 34 and, with the notch 42 on the lower end of the first projection aligned with the vertical web 18 of the longitudinal support member, the first transverse member is tapped or pulled down into position. Next, the second transverse support member 1617 is angled as shown in Fig. 6 and the second projection 44 is slipped into the angled slot. With the notch 46 on the upper edge of the second projection aligned with the vertical Web 18, the second transverse support member is urged upwardly so that the notch 46 receives the portion of the vertical web immediately above the vertical slot 34. The second transverse support member 16b then rotates into its proper position (see Fig. .5) With. the edge of the second projection 44 resting on the first projection 40.

With the two collinear transverse support members thus in position, it is impossible to withdraw them or for them to be accidentally displaced without first maneuvering the second projection down intothe angled slot 36. Such angling is impossible once the ceiling panels P are in place because if correctly fitted, the panels preclude the tilting of the second transverse support member 16b.

For adaptability, opposite ends of each transverse support member are made complementary. In other words, each transverse support member has on one end a projection similar to the first projection 40 and on the opposite end a projection similar to the second projection 44.

Thus, it will be seen that we have invented a practical lock for use in .the construction of a framework for suspended ceilings. The lockis simple 'to effect, and once established, it absolutely prevents the accidental displacement of the transverse support member.

It should be understood that the embodiment of the invention described above is the preferred embodiment. However, other embodiments are envisioned. For instance, instead of having the angled slot 36 the upper portions of the vertical slot 34 could be laterally enlarged whereby maneuvering the second projection 44 over into the lateral enlargement would permit withdrawal of the second transverse 'member. It is also conceivable that the projections 40 and 44 of the transverse support mern bers be not vertical as shown and the vertical slot 34 of the longitudinal support member be correspondingly altered.

Fig. 7 illustrates in section a typical connector member 48 usable with the longitudinal support members of the invention. The connector member does not constitute part of this invention, but is illustrated further to evidence a usual environment for the invention. It comprises a plate 50 having fingers 52 struck up therefrom. In installation the fingers extend through specially formed slots in the vertical web 18 and are clinched over to form the joint, the plate resting tightly against the webs. Additionally to stabilizethe joint opposed tongues 54 are bent up from the center of the plate and fit closely into slots (not shown) in the ends of the vertical web.

While the invention has been shown in but its preferred form, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

We claim:

1. A suspended ceiling comprising a longitudinal support member and a pair of colinear transverse support members intersecting said longitudinal support member, each of said support members comprising a vertical web having outwardly extending ceiling-panel-supporting flanges, said longitudinal support member having an opening in the vertical web thereof, said opening comprising a vertical slot and an inclined slot merging at its upper end with the upper end of said vertical slot, the material between the slots below the point of intersection of their adjacent sides being removed down to a horizontal line, the first of said transverse support members having a first projection extending from one end thereof, said first projection having a notch-in the lower edge thereof, the second of said transverse support members having a second projection extending from one end thereof, said second projection having a notch in the upper edge thereof, said first projection extendinginto said vertical slot from one direction with the notch therein receiving the part of the vertical web of the longitudinal support member immediately below the vertical slot, the top of said first projection being substantially coplanar with said horizontal line, and the secondprojection extending into said vertical slot from the opposite direction and resting on the first projection, said notch on the second projection receiving the part of "the vertical web of *the longitudinal port members and on the side of the said vertical web which is closest to the inclined slot in the longitudinal support member, whereby accidental misplacement of the second of said transverse support members is made locked in said vertical slot and can be unlocked only by 5 unlikely' maneuvering said second projection down into the said inclined slot.

2. A suspended ceiling as described in claim 1 including a panel member being positioned with an edge adja- 1 cent the vertical web of the second of the transverse sup- References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS Austria June 25, 1910 France July 18, 1951 

